P-Expert: A Prototype Expert Advisory System in the Management and Control of Parthenium Weed in Central Queensland

Abstract

This paper discusses the problem of Parthenium weed infestation in Queensland and describes P-Expert, an expert advisory system designed to provide expert knowledge in control and management strategies of Parthenium weed. P-Expert is fundamentally a hybrid fuzzy expert system incorporating technologies from fuzzy logic, relational database and multimedia systems. The primary topic of this paper will be a description of the framework of P-Expert, focussing on three main areas: (1) Layered component architecture — each component of the expert advisory system is designed as modules to facilitate maintenance, adaptability and flexibility, (2) Discourse semantics (explanatory capabilities) — provision for explanation and justifying outputs given by the expert advisory system, and (3) Meta-consequent — mapping final aggregated output from a fuzzy If-Then rule onto a finite database.

Adamson, D. C. (1996). Determining the Economic Impact of Parthenium on the Australian Beef Industry: A Comparison of Static and Dynamic Approaches. MSc Thesis. Brisbane, University of Queensland.Google Scholar

Dhileepan, K. and R. E. McFadyen (1997). Biological Control of Parthenium in Australia: Progress and Prospects. Proceedings of the First International Conference on Parthenium Management. Dharwad, University of Agricultural Sciences. 1: 40–44.Google Scholar

Gregor, S. and X. Yu (2000). Exploring the Explanatory Capabilities of Intelligent System Technologies. Second International Discourse With Fuzzy Logic In The New Millennium. Mackay, Australia, Physica-Verlag: (current volume).Google Scholar